Field scale bioremediation of tar contaminated soil with commercial mushroom PJeurotus ostreatus refuse

Pollution of soils with poiycyciic aromatic andheteroaromatic compounds (PACS) from various uses of oil products has impontant economic and toxicological implications for the polluted areas. The larger PACS are quite refractory to microbial degradation. Due to the ability of the fimgal ligninolytic enzyme systems to also degrade a range of environmental pollutants, e.g. PACS,white rot fimgihave been studies in laboratory experiments as candidates for bioremediation purposes. The present communication describes effects of white rot fhngus Pleurotus ostreatus on polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACS) degradation in a field scale experiment with authentic polluted soils from a former shipyard or an old asphalt and tar factory. Both soils were setup in triplicate in concrete cylinders (height: 50 cm, diameter: 60 cm) for 3 treatments: Control, mixed with autoclave sawdust medium, or mixed with P. ostreatus refuse from commercial production of fiwit bodies, Samples taken after O, 1,2,5,9, 16,26, and 46 weeks were analysed for P. ostreaws activity as laccase activity, phenanthreneand pyrene-degrading bacteria were enumerated, and 21 different PACS were quantified by GC-MS. In the Coal tar soil, P. ostreatus refuse enhanced PACS degradation. Laccase activity was significantly higher than in the Shipyard soil, and the numbers of pyrene-degrading bacteria were higher. P, ostreatus refuse has a potential for bioremediation purposes, © 2002 WIT Press, Ashurst Lodge, Southampton, SO40 7AA, UK. All rights reserved. Web: www.witpress.com Email [email protected] Paper from: Oil and Hydrocarbon Spills III, CA Brebbia (Editor). ISBN 1-85312-922-4